Web splicing device



Jan. 28, 1936. H A w w Q 2,029,046

WEB SPLICING- DEVICE Original Filed NOV. 12. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 28, 1936. H. A. w. WOOD WEB SPLICING DEVICE BUM fide cfi L 79/7/74. Zfzre 400. 9

Jan. 28, 1936. H. A. w. wooo WEB SPLICING DEVICE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a; UW.

Patented Jan. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WEB SPLIGIN G DEVICE Application November 12, 1932, Serial No. 642,352 Renewed December 4, 1934 10 Claims.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide means whereby the running web is relieved of the strains incident to bringing the fresh web roll from a. lower to a synchronous speed in a very short time in combination with means for automatically running the same roll through a friction member at a speed less than that of the web to produce the necessary tension immediately after splicing; to provide means for the calibration of the speed-setting device for the rotation of the fresh web roll in such a manner that, just prior to and during the moment of splicing, said fresh roll will be driven at exactly web speed, or very slightly faster, and iml5 mediately after splicing the ratio of the variable speed device will be changed so that the same roll, which is now attached to the web, is driven at a speed a little less than that of the web; and

- to adapt the invention particularly to a splicing 20 machine in which the fresh web roll is driven through power applied to the central axis.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an end view of a web roll supporting mechanism with a preferred embodiment of this invention shown as applied thereto and showing the splicing mechanism in the act of completing the splice and severing the web;

i Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the electric disconnecting means on the brush supporting arm showing the contacts open;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 1;

05 Fig. 4 is a front-elevationof the same;

Fig. 5 is a plan of a portion of the same elements, showing the operating roller in contact with the paper roll;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of 40 Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a plan of the transmission shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 8 is an end view of this transmission.

The invention is shown as applied to a web 45 splicing mechanism which is the subject matter of my prior application for patent; Serial No. 591,077, filed February 5, 1932. The fresh web roll is brought up to speed by the use of a variable speed transmission applying rotative energy to the 50 roll at its central axis. In devices of this kind it is necessary to compensate the speed ratio of the mechanism rotating the roll spindle to calibrate that ratio with reference to roll diameter. Any inaccuracy in this setting results in difficulty for,

55 if the roll is driven too slowly, a great strain is put on the web at the time of splicing and after the splice is made, if the splicing roll feeds the web too fast the web is flooded, not only causing inferior printing but often resulting in paper breaks. 5 This invention is designed to overcome this difliculty by permitting the calibration of a speed setting device so that prior to, and during, the moment of splicing the roll is driven at exactly web speed or slightly faster to relieve the running 10 web of the strains incident to bringing the fresh roll from a lower to a synchronous speed in a very short time. Also through a mechanism operated by the web pressing member the ratio of the variable speed is chan ed so that the fresh roll, now the running roll, is driven through a friction member at a speed less than that of the web to thereby produce tension on the web.

' As in my said application it will be seen that the drive for the incoming roll is obtained from the press through any convenient press driven member such as a roll 96 carrying a sprocket 91. Through'a chain 98 and sprocket 99, the latter attached to the input end of the variable speed transmission I00, a drive to the transmission I00 is obtained. This drive may be varied in gear ratio to compensate for the different diameters of the incoming roll, so that the proper driving force may be applied to the center of the incoming roll. From the output side of the variable speed transmission Hill, a gear I meshes with an idler 2 which in turn cooperates with a gear 3. The gear 3 is secured to across shaft 4 on which is also mounted a bevel gear meshing with a bevel gear 6 attached to drive a vertical shaft 1. The vertical shaft 1, at its lower end-carries a bevel gear 9 for meshing with a bevel gear II] to drive a jack shaft ll carried by the reel. The other end of this jack shaft carries a pinion l2 meshing with a gear l3 which is secured to and rotates with a large gear M. The latter is mounted by an antifriction bearing on a hub of a spider I 5. On each of the three spindles mounted in the spider I5, a gear l 8 is rotatably mounted to mesh with 4 the large gear M. A magnetic clutch armature H is mounted by a flexible disc to rotate .with the gear l6 so that its friction surface may engage with an adjustable braking disc l8 carried on a magnetic clutch l9 which is secured to rotate with a spindle 20. This provides a clutch arrangement between the drive and the spindle, whereby the energizing of the magnetic clutch l9 will connect the spindle 20 to the drive brought in through the variable speed transmission I00 from the press. An electrical selector is provided so that the proper clutch may be brought into operation when it is desired to make a splice.

Figs. 1, 3, and 8 show the speed setting mechanism which insures the proper rotational ratio between the press and the incoming roll as, the

.incoming roll is of one or another diameter. The variable speed transmission Hill has a regulating shaft 2| projecting therefrom to which is attached-an arm 22, the free end of the shaft 2| being supported by a bracket 23 to insure rigidity. The variable speed transmission I09 is so built that motion of-the arm 22 in one direction speeds up the revolutions of the spindle movable sleeve 28 and are backed up by collars 33 and 34 respectively. Thus at all times either one or the otheror both of these springs tends to keep the movable sleeve 28 central. The left 1 hand. end of the rod is pivotally attached to an arm 35, the latter being keyed to a shaft 36. An arm 31 is mounted by a feather on the shaft 36 carrying a measuring roller 39 which is rotatably mounted on the arm 31. The roller may contact with'the incoming web roll when it is reeled up toposition in essentially the same relationship. When the motion of the arm 31! is translated through the shaft 36 to the arm 35,

the rod 30 thereby exerts a pressure to move the sleeve 28 to the desired position and through linkages attached thereto to set the transmission I00.

The arm 31 carries attached thereto a ratchet segment 40 against which a pawl 4| is pressed by a spring 42.- The pawl 4| is pivotally mounted on one end of the bracket 38 and is so connected with arms 43 and 44 that a rotation of an arm 45 in a counterclockwise direction against the pressure of a spring 46 lifts the pawl 4| away from the ratchet 40 to allow the arm 3'! to drop. A projection 41, carried one on eacharm of the spider l5, presses'against a roller 48, which is rotatably mounted on the arm 45, as the reel I is moved past it. This contact of the projection 41 and roller 48 for the dropping of the arm 3'! is accomplished just before the incoming roll is brought under the roller 39. Thus, as the reel is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 1, the incoming roll has passed underneath the roller 39 and, through the linkages described above, has properly set the variable speed transmission Hill. The pawl 4| would ordinarily hold this setting until the next roll is brought up to position, at which time the cycle would be repeated.

In addition to the pawl 4|, however, there is a second pawl 5! in engagement with the teeth of the segment 40. This pawl 5| is pivoted to 'a bell crank 52, the other end of which is pivotally connected .to the plungerof a solenoid 53. A spring 54 as well as the weight of the arm 31 tend to keep the bell crank 52 in the position shown in Fig. 1. The instant a splice is made, however, the solenoid 53-is energized, thereby rotating the bell crank 52 in a clockwise direction lifting the pawl 51 and thereby pushing the arm 31 up to change the ratio in the variable speed transmission'lllll and thereby drive the fresh roll at a slower speed. Since there is a friction clutch on the spindle connecting the fresh roll with this drive it permits applying tension to the paper without breaking it.

The type of brush arm used in my above mentioned application is shown here and can be operated in a similar manner. It will be readily apparent that a pair of contacts 55 may be placed on the brush operating arm 55 or any other convenient place so that, when the brush 51 moves forward .to contact the running web with the fresh roll, a brush spring rod 58 moves up and thereby closes the contacts 55. They are used to establish a circuit to the solenoid 53. Through the mechanism described above this slows down ,the paper roll atthe instant that it is transferred from a fresh roll to a running roll so that tension may be obtained. Thus, this invention provides for the driving of a roll prior to splicing and especially through power applied to the central axis with means for driving the roll exactly at or slightly above web speedprior to, and at the moment of, splicing, with means for reducing that speed immediately upon splicing to obtain tension on the web and a simple control of the web roll.

Although I have illustrated and described only one form of the invention I am aware of the fact thatmodifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited in this respect otherwise than as set forth in the claims but what I do claim is:---

1. In a web splicing mechanism, the combination with means for rotating the fresh web roll, and means controlled by the diameter of said fresh roll for varying the speed of said rotating means to bring the surface speed of the fresh roll substantially to web speed at the time of splicing, of means for reducing the speed of the fresh roll driving means immediately after the fresh roll is spliced to the running web for the purpose 0 producing tension on the web.

2. In a web splicing mechanism, the combination with means for rotating the fresh web roll, means for bringing the surface speed of the fresh roll substantially to web speed at the time of splicing, means whereby the last named means is automatically regulated by the diameter of said fresh roll, and of means for reducing the speed of the fresh roll driving means immediately after the fresh roll is spliced to the running web.

3. In a web splicing mechanism for a printing press, the combination with a rotatable member connected with the press to run in proportion to the speed of the press, a shaft connected with the fresh web roll to rotate it through its center,

a variable speed transmission for transmitting power .from said rotatable member to said shaft,

means for controlling said transmission to rotate the fresh roll substantially at web speed at the time of splicing, and means tending to rotate it at a slower speed after splicing.

4. In a web splicing mechanism for a printing press, the combination with a rotatable member said transmission to bring the surface speed of the fresh roll substantially to web speed just before, and at the time of, splicing, means for pressing the running web against the fresh roll to make the splice, and means for then reducing the speed of the roll driving means below web speed to apply tension to the web, said means being operated by the motion of the web pressing means.

5. In a web splicing mechanism for a printing press, the combination with a rotatable member connected with the press to run in proportion to the speed of the press, a shaft connected with the fresh web roll to rotate it through its center, a variable speed transmission for transmitting power from said rotatable member to said shaft, means engaging the surface of the fresh web roll, and controlled by its diameter, for controlling sad transmission to bring the surface speed of the fresh roll substantially to web speed just before, and at the time of, splicing, means for pressing the running web against the fresh roll to make the splice, an electric contact on the Web pressing means, a solenoid in circuit with the contact and adapted to be energized when the web-pressing means is brought into operative position to make the splice, and means operated by the solenoid for changing the transmission speed to reduce the speed of said roll driving means.

6. In a web splicing device, the combination with a variable speed transmission, mechanism operated thereby for rotating a fresh web roll, and a movable web-pressing means, of an electric contact connected to be closed by the web pressing means when it moves into web pressing position, a solenoid in circuit with said contact to be energized when the contact is closed, and means operated by the solenoid for controlling said transmission to reduce the speed of said roll driving means after splicing.

7. In a web splicing device, the combination with a variable speed transmission, mechanism operated thereby for rotating a fresh web roll, and a movable web-pressing means, of an electric contact connected to be closed by the webpressing means when it moves into web-pressing position, a solenoid in circuit with said contact to be energized when the contact is closed, a lever connected with the solenoid to be operated when the solenoid is energized, a pawl carried by the lever, a movable ratchet segment which the pawl is arranged to move when the solenoid is energized, and means operated by the ratchet segment for changing the speed of the transmission to reduce the speed of said roll driving means below web speed to put tension on the web after splicing.

8. In a web splicing device, the combination with a variable speed transmission, mechanism operated thereby for rotating a fresh web roll, and a movable web-pressing means, of an electric contact connected to be closed by the webpressing means when it moves into web-pressing position, a solenoid in circuit with said contact to be energized when the contact is closed, a. lever connected with the solenoid to be operated when the solenoid is energized, a pawl carried by the lever, a movable ratchet segment which the pawl is arranged to move when the solenoid is energized, means operated by the ratchet segment for changing the speed of the transmission to reduce the speed of said roll driving means below-web speed, and frictional driving means forming part of the roll rotating mechanism.

9. In a web splicing device, the combination with a rotatable magazine reel having means for rotatably mounting a plurality of paper rolls, driving means for bringing the surface of a fresh roll substantially to web speed, means for eifecting contact of the fresh roll and the running web, and means for reducing the speed of the fresh roll driving means subsequent to splicing.

10. In a web splicing mechanism, the combination with a running web and a fresh web roll, of means for rotating the fresh web roll substantially at web speed, means for making a splice, and means controlled by the splice making means for decreasing the speed ratio between the fresh roll driving means and the speed of the web.

HENRY A. WISE WOOD. 

